The Foundation for Korean Language & Culture in USA (Chair: Monica Ryu) commemorated its 30th anniversary with a grand opening ceremony at its newly purchased standalone building, located at 3310 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, on December 14.
Chair Monica Ryu highlighted the significance of the move during an interview with the Korea Daily, stating, “We had been operating out of rental spaces, but purchasing our own standalone building makes this moment especially meaningful.”
The new building will serve as a hub for the foundation’s initiatives, which include training current and future Korean language teachers. The foundation also plans to offer free Korean language education to low-income non-Korean individuals. “Our goal is to spread the Korean language beyond the Korean community to other ethnic groups,” Ryu said.
During her congratulatory remarks, Ryu emphasized the “3Ds” — Devotion, Dedication, and Determination — as the guiding principles for the foundation’s future efforts.
The event was attended by key figures, including California State Senator Steven Choi (37th District), who shared his personal connection to the Korean language. “Having worked as a Korean language teacher for the Peace Corps after moving to the U.S., the Korean language holds a special place in my identity,” said Senator Choi, commending the foundation’s contributions.
Senator Choi also presented Chair Ryu with an official Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate, acknowledging the foundation’s 30 years of effort in promoting Korean language education.
In addition to local supporters, attendees included representatives from the foundation’s affiliate chapters in New York, Ohio, and Texas, underscoring its national reach.
The foundation explained that funds to acquire the new building were raised through the sale of its official Korean language textbook, Epic Korean, which was adopted as the official Korean language curriculum by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Contributions from the Korean American community also played a critical role.
Looking ahead, Chair Ryu revealed plans to further expand the presence of Korean language classes in U.S. schools and to advocate for the establishment of an AP Korean Language and Culture course.
Since its establishment 30 years ago, the Korean Language Promotion Foundation has focused on launching and expanding Korean language classes in U.S. elementary, middle, and high schools. The foundation also promotes Korean culture and history to a broader audience, including non-Koreans and second-generation Korean Americans.
One of the foundation’s landmark achievements was its instrumental role in the 1995 introduction of the SAT Subject Test for Korean, for which it also published related preparatory materials. More recently, the foundation developed and published the U.S.
Korean language textbook Epic Korean in 2021, a project that took three years to complete. It continues to operate Korean language teacher training programs, including study tours in Korea, aimed at supporting Korean language educators across the United States.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
